Betta tankmates have to be chosen as carefully as a person chooses a roommate. Pick the wrong betta mates, and your fish will suffer. Choose the wrong roommate for yourself and you may suffer. You get the idea. Let's take a look at some betta tankmates that will allow your fish to live a long, happy and healthy life with good neighborly interaction.

The right betta mates need to understand that he is living with a fish that can be surly, and even downright nasty at times. The perfect partner will allow his finny friend room to be himself, and shouldn't clash lest there be dire consequences.

1 - Apple Snails
Apple snails are a great addition to a betta tank. These snails are small at birth, but can reach a size of 4 - 6 inches when adult, and add a peaceful nature to your betta. Bettas typically ignore them.

2 - Cory Catfish
Cory Catfish are the most common catfish kept in aquariums. Since they prefer the bottom of the tank, they typically do not run afoul of the middle to top-dwelling betta fish. They are hardy and very easy to breed and care for.

3 - Dwarf Frog
Betta tankmates need to be non-similar to the betta. Bettas attack other fish that resemble themselves. That is why a dwarf frog or two make such a diverse friend for your betta and a wonderful visual addition to your tank.

4 - Neon Tetras
Neon tetras are small (one inch max.), inexpensive fish that add motion and vibrant color to any tank. They respond extremely well with any betta fish.

Remember that every betta fish has a distinctive personality. What works for one betta may not work for the next one.

And when your betta mates, all bets are off, and a previous friend can become a foe in your fighting fish's eyes. Don't forgot that you should never keep more than one inch of fish per gallon of aquarium. If you follow these rules, you should be able to place some great betta tankmates with your beautiful betta splendens that will provide you with a full, visual experience.

Ghost shrimp, assuming your bettas don't eat them! My girls tried to give them a few nips when I introduced them, but they were too quick. Now my girls ignore them. They're very cute little guys with a lot of character.

Ghost shrimp, assuming your bettas don't eat them! My girls tried to give them a few nips when I introduced them, but they were too quick. Now my girls ignore them. They're very cute little guys with a lot of character.

I might get some tetras, but probably not for my betta. He just made his first bubblenest (and it's BIG o_O)!! I'm taking that as a 'thanks for the new plants', so I think I should leave off putting anything else in with him if he's already happy. :3

Chinese Algae Eaters. Reading around they can be hit or miss towards aggression. I have two in a ten gallon and they keep it near spotless. The older and bigger of the two only pulls rank on the smaller one when I'm doing something in the tank and they are freaking out. They both leave the Betta alone and occasionally while hanging on the side of the tank the Betta will investigate them but its nothing more then a nudge. The are almost as fun as my Betta because they people watch.